Calling Donald Trump a threat to the rule of law has backfired
It strengthened him politically and led to constitutional protections for presidents, not citizens
To President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and his “MAGA Republican extremists” are a threat to “the very foundations of our republic”. Democrats once insisted that prosecuting Mr Trump for his conduct as president would illuminate his menace and bar him from the office. For their part, federal prosecutors have never given a hint of partisan objectives; they wanted to vindicate the principle that no one is above the law.
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This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “The truly imperial presidency”
United States July 20th 2024
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From the July 20th 2024 edition
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As Jack Smith exits, Donald Trump’s allies hint at retribution
The president-elect hopes to hand the justice department to loyalists
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But Mr Trump will be more prepared, too
Donald Trump and Tulsi Gabbard are coming for the spooks
The president-elect’s intelligence picks suggest a radical agenda
Checks and Balance newsletter: Trump is embracing a shift in Republican priorities
Will he follow through on his policy commitments?
Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as America’s attorney-general
Will the Senate be brave enough to block Donald Trump’s other outlandish nominees?